Luggage storage near the Brussels Luxembourg Station

Brussels Luxembourg railway station (Gare de Bruxelles-Luxembourg in French) is one of the busiest and most historic railway stations in the capital. The station is located in the European Quarter of Brussels, serving as a central location for trains traveling locally and regionally in Belgium. The Brussels Luxembourg railway station offers a direct train connection operated by the national train operator, SNCB. And for those heading to the airport, this is where they can hop on a direct train line to Brussels Airport Zaventem

Built between 1854 and 1855 by Grande Compagnie de Luxembourg, the station was the terminus of the first railway line in Belgium. The station was designed by the famous architect Gustave Saintenoy in a neoclassical style to match other buildings surrounding the Place du Luxembourg. Initially named Leopold Quarter railway station, it was renamed after the nearby Parc de Luxembourg. Brussels Luxembourg station was the third in the city, after the Allée Verte/Groendreef railway station near the Yser/IJzer metro station in the north and the Bogards' railway station near the Place Rouppe/Rouppeplein in the south, which became the Brussels-North and Brussels-South railway stations, respectively. However, unlike these two, it was designed as a stopover station rather than a terminal.

In the 19th century, Brussels Luxembourg was divided into sections to accommodate different classes of travelers. The station was expanded with single-story pavilions in 1899 and 1921, which were combined in 1934 to standardize the facade. In the 1990s and 2000s, the station underwent a transformation. It became a subsurface-track station to provide room for the European Parliament and create a pedestrian connection between Luxembourg Square and Leopold Park. The tracks were later covered over and moved underground. The original station building was partially demolished in 2004, and the central entrance building was repurposed as an information office for the Parliament. The entrance to the station is now located a few meters south and can be accessed either via stairs from the esplanade or through the Parliament's József Antall building on Rue de Trèves.

Must-visit attractions near Brussels Luxembourg include the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium and its mind-blowing permanent collection! It houses over 20,000 works of art, with masterpieces from famous artists such as Bruegel, Peter Paul Ruben, Robert Campin, and many more. Don’t miss out on Parc du Cinquantenaire, either. This park is home to several iconic buildings, including the famous Triumphal Arch serving as a new entrance gate to the area.

Today, considering its well-located location in the European Quarter of Brussels, the station is a popular destination for travelers visiting the European Parliament and other European Union institutions. In addition to its practical importance as a transportation hub, Brussels-Luxembourg Station also has a rich cultural heritage. Allowing it to be featured in many films and television shows over the years. Today, the station is a popular destination for photographers and artists due to its distinctive architecture and lively atmosphere.